Thrive in Action Blog Series: Class Community, GPS 5 - Clear Directions

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The Thrive In Action blog series highlights practical applications for Great Pedagogy Strategies (GPS) within the EdConnective Thrive Framework, summarized here. The EdConnective Thrive Framework is unique in that it can be applied to teaching actions seamlessly whether learning is in-person or remote. This week we get more familiar with:

Class Community, GPS 5 - Clear Directions: Teacher gives concise, clear directions that include the sound, length, activity and materials for all transitions and activities.

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Do you find yourself repeating directions two, three, or even four times per lesson? Are your students confused by the expectations you’ve set for an assignment? Do they have difficulty staying on topic in break-out groups? When students struggle to comply with directions, it is often due to a lack of clarity from the teacher. The teacher can minimize confusion and eliminate time wasted repeating directions by including four simple elements into each set of directions (sound, length, activity, and materials). When these elements are clarified, the teacher reduces confusion and will spend less time repeating directions and more time providing academic feedback. 

Begin by scripting the directions you want to give to your students. Then revise by adding in the four directional elements. 

For example:

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Here is another example:

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To further increase on-task behavior, provide students with a visual, numerical list of the directions by including a minimal-text slide in your presentation (virtual instruction) or posting the directions on the board (in-person instruction). By providing directions both verbally and orally, we are setting our students up for success.

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Download a summary of the EdConnective Thrive Framework here. EdConnective provides 1:1, personalized non-evaluative coaching to teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators, as well as small group coaching and large group training.

Christina Gibson